Furniture Restorer

Typical Salary

£20,000 To £35,000

Typical Hours

42 to 44 variable

freelance / self-employed managing your own hours

How To Become a Furniture Restorer

You can get into this job through:

a university course
a college course
an apprenticeship
specialist short courses

College / University

You can do a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in:

art and design
furniture design
furniture restoration
product design

1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma

2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

You could do a college course, which would teach you some of the skills and knowledge you need in this job. Relevant subjects include:

Level 2 Diploma in Furniture Making
Level 2 Diploma in Furniture Finishing Methods

2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course

4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course

Apprenticeship

You can complete an intermediate or advanced apprenticeship in restoring furniture or advanced upholstery.

some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship

5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

Routes into this Career

Routes into this Career are not listed for this job.

Other Routes

You can do short courses in woodworking skills and restoration techniques through the British Antique Furniture Restorers' Association.

Skills And Knowledge

You'll need:

to be thorough and pay attention to detail
the ability to work well with your hands
persistence and determination
the ability to work on your own
the ability to come up with new ways of doing things
customer service skills
the ability to use, repair and maintain machines and tools
the ability to organise your time and workload
to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Day To Day Tasks

You could:

work out the best way to conserve or restore a piece of furniture
advise customers about restoration options
estimate prices and give quotes
gather the materials needed for a job
use techniques like woodturning, veneering and marquetry
mix and apply colours and stains
gild, polish and upholster items
keep photographic and written records of the process

Working Environment

You could work in a factory or in a workshop.

Your working environment may be dusty.

You may need to wear protective clothing.

Career Path & Progression

You could set up your own furniture restoration business, carrying out work for organisations and the public, or work as a consultant for museums, auction houses, historical or heritage sites, or antique dealers.

Volunteering Opportunities

Volunteering Opportunities are not listed for this job.

Tips & Information

Further information

You can find out more about training and careers in furniture restoration and conservation through:

Restrictions & Requirements

Restrictions & Requirements are not listed for this job.